Measuring tape with weatherproof seal and retrofit kit

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates measuring tapes and methods for making thereof. In particular, the measuring tape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism for cleaning the tape as it retracts into its housing. The wipe mechanism contains a top wipe and a bottom wipe for removing debris from the top and bottom surfaces of the tape, respectively, when it is retracted after use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/919,354, filed Jul. 2, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,371,820, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/385,747, filed Apr.16, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/845,292, filed Dec. 18, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,260,852, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/792,119, filed Jul. 6,2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,846,021, which claims benefit to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/021,130, filed Jul. 5, 2014, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measuring taps and methods for makingthereof. In particular, the measuring tapes of the present inventioncontain a device for cleaning the tape as it retracts. Additionally, aretrofit kit is provided that can be installed on standard measuringtapes to provide a device for cleaning the tape as it retracts.

BACKGROUND

A measuring tape represents a flexible form of linear rule, typicallyconsisting of a ribbon or tape of cloth, plastic, fiberglass, ormetallic strip of a uniform width containing measurement markings alongits length. This style of measuring device provides advantages over atraditional fixed rule in that it is collapsible and easily stored in acoiled form. One common form of tape measure that is well known in theconstruction industry retains the measuring tape by coiling it around aspool contained within a protective housing. The measuring tape may beretracted into the housing by hand winding the tape or by releasing aspring lock so the winding action of the spring retracts the tape. Themeasuring tape may be a closed reel enclosed in a closed housing hidingthe reel, or an open reel housed in an open housing where the reel isvisible.

Measuring tapes are often used in locations where particulate matter,such as sawdust, dirt, and powders from metal or masonry products, andwater are present. In typical applications, measuring tapes are placedonto a work surface and a measurement is read between two or morepoints. When used in this manner debris contained on the work surfacemay adhere to and accumulate on the tape. Subsequent retraction of thetape may transport the debris inside the protective housing where itbecomes trapped, unable to exit through the housing's small passageway.Once debris is trapped inside the tape measure's protective housing, itcontinues to accumulate and eventually foul the tape measure's internalmechanisms, sometimes rendering the tape inoperable. Over time, inaddition to lost time and aggravation to the user, the lifespan of thetape is greatly reduced. The measuring tape may be a closed reelenclosed in a closed housing hiding the reel, or an open reel housed inan open housing where the reel is visible.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,589 to Chemay discloses a tape measure forunderwater use. This tape measure is described as reliable, durable andeffective for underwater work. However, instead of preventing moisturefrom entering, it is described as easily disassembled for inspection andcleaning without tools.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,785 to Hsu discloses a measuring tape that isdesigned for fast and easy retraction of tape measures. The retractingmechanism is a hand crank that engages a reverse gear to retract thetape. No mechanism for cleaning the tape is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,085 to Roeske discloses a retractable measuring tapecontaining an opening in the tape housing. The opening, when the tape isin use, is sealed with a plug. The plug can be detached from the housingby a user to access the interior of the housing to remove debristherein.

Therefore, there remains a need for a measuring tape that retractsquickly but does not transport particulate materials and water into itsprotective housing.

Further, considering the substantial number of measuring tapes currentlyowned by consumers, there exists a need to provide a kit adapted to beapplied to standard measuring tapes in order to improve functionalityfor them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measuring tapes, specifically tomeasuring tapes for use in harsh conditions on a construction site wheremoisture and dirt can render a measuring tape inoperable. The measuringtape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism at the tape portto wipe the tape of any debris as it retracts into its housing assembly.The wipe mechanism contains an upper wipe and a lower wipe to clean theupper surface and lower surface, respectively, of the tape.

The present invention also relates to retrofitting kits to install awipe mechanism on existing measuring tapes.

Methods for making the measuring tape of the present invention andretrofitting an existing tape measure to include a wipe mechanism arealso disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing background and summary, as well as the following detaileddescription, will be better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, thereis shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a partially extended measuring tapeof the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded fragmentary view of the partially extendedmeasuring tape of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary side view of the partially extended measuringtape of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded fragmentary view of a fully retracted measuringtape of the present invention with a protective mechanism;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded disassembled view of the wipe mechanism;

FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of a first embodiment of a retrofittingkit;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the position for the wipe mechanism in aset-back embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of theretrofitting kit;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of theretrofitting kit with elastic bands;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the retrofittingkit;

FIG. 11 show a perspective view of the second embodiment of theretrofitting kit with the top and bottom portions pulled apart;

FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment of the retrofitting kit beingattached to a measuring tape reel;

FIG. 13 shows the set-back embodiment with an alternative protectivemechanism; and

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary construction of the cages and its assembly tothe housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When referring to the figures, like reference numerals designate likeelements throughout, while the different drawings may illustrate variousembodiments of the present invention. The embodiments illustrated anddiscussed herein are presented for the sole purpose of enabling one tomake and use the invention, is not exhaustive, and should not beunderstood as limiting in any way. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, andinstruments shown and described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a length measurement device, more specifically, ameasuring tape 100. The measuring tape 100 includes a coilable tape 102that is at least partially disposed within a housing assembly 104. Avariable-length segment of the tape 102 is retractable and extendablefrom the housing assembly 104 along a tape axis 106. When extended fromthe housing assembly 104, the extended portion of the tape 102 may forma concavo-convex cross sectional shape that includes a concave or topsurface 108 of the tape 102 and a convex or bottom surface 109 of thetape 102. Although a concavo-convex cross sectional shape is preferredin spring-loaded, automatically recoiling measuring tapes, a flat tape102 is also sufficient for the present invention, particularly for themanual winding measuring tape. At least the top surface 108 of tape 102includes indicia for taking measurements.

A hook assembly 110 is fixedly coupled to a first end portion 112 of thetape 102. The hook assembly 110 includes a hook body 114 and anattachment portion 116 for fastening the hook assembly 110 to the firstend portion 112 of the tape 102. FIG. 1 shows the attachment portion 116may fastened to the first end portion 112 by rivets 118, but otherfasteners, such as adhesives, welds, folds, solders, etc., may also beappropriate for the present invention. In preferred embodiments, theattachment portion 116 forms a concavo-convex cross sectioncomplementary to that of the tape 102. In some embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the attachment portion 116 may span the entirewidth of the tape 102. In in other embodiments, the attachment portion116 may span only a portion, e.g. a center portion, of the tape (asshown in FIG. 4) to facilitate the attachment of the hook assembly 110to the tape 102. A hook body 114 extends substantially perpendicular tothe attachment portion 116, and thus the tape 102. The hook body 114 isconfigured to engage an end portion of a workpiece to be measured, suchas a board or beam, and may contain serrations for secured engagementwith the workpiece. In certain embodiments, the hook may also bemagnetic for engaging ferromagnetic workpieces. The hook body 114 servestwo functions: 1) to engage the workpiece; and 2) to provide the “0”mark indicating the starting point of the rule portion of the tape 102.The hook assembly 110 may be allowed to float in the direction of thetape axis 106 an amount equivalent to the thickness of the hook body114. This allows for accurate inside and outside measurements to be readwithout having to account for the thickness of the hook body 114.Although the hook body 114 is illustrated in the drawings as spanningthe entire width of the tape 102, that is not necessary, as it may spanonly a portion of the width of the tape 102, as long as it functionsproperly.

A second end of the tape 102 is coupled to the housing assembly 104. Thetape 102 is attached to a spool disposed within the cavity of thehousing assembly 104. A retraction mechanism is coupled to the spool toprovide for retraction of the tape 102. The retraction mechanism mayinvolve a simple hand winding mechanism or a powered mechanism which mayinclude an elongated coiled spring for motive force. A tape lock 120 isprovided to selectively engage at least one of the spool and theretraction mechanism, such that the extended segment of the tape 102remains at a desired length.

The housing assembly 104 includes a first side wall 122, a second sidewall 144, and a peripheral wall 126 connecting the first side wall 122and the second side wall 144. Each of the first side wall 122 and thesecond side wall 124 may have circular or polygonal shapes orcombinations thereof. The housing assembly 104 may typically be made oftwo halves: a first half containing the first side wall 122 and aportion of the peripheral wall 126, and second half containing thesecond side wall 124 and a portion of the peripheral wall 126. The twohalves are then assembled to partially contain the tape 102therebetween. The housing assembly 104 may be molded from plasticmaterials, including glass filed polymers, or may be cast, forged ormachined from metallic materials, such as aluminum, steel, zinc, orbrass, which are chosen for their impact resistance. Portions of thehousing assembly 104 may be co-molded or separately formed.

A slot 128 is defined along a portion of the peripheral wall 126. Theslot 128 is provided to allow for sliding movement of the tape lock 120relative to the housing assembly 104. On another portion of the housingassembly 104, a tape port 130 is provided to allow for the retractionand extension of the tape 102 to and from the internal cavity of thehousing assembly 104, as best shown in FIG. 4. Ideally, when in itsfully retracted configuration, a small portion of the tape 102 shouldremain accessible outside of the housing assembly 104, such that a usermay grasp the end portion 112 of the tape 102 and extend the tape bypulling it away from the housing assembly 104. The tape port 130 servesthis purpose, allowing the measuring tape 102 to pass into the housingassembly 104 without binding.

A wipe mechanism 200 (as best shown in FIGS. 2-4) is attached to thehousing assembly 104 at the tape port 130 to wipe the tape 102 of anydebris as it retracts into the housing assembly 104. The wipe mechanismcontains an upper wipe 202 and a lower wipe 204 that encloses the tapeport 130. The upper wipe 202 and the lower wipe 204 protrude away fromthe housing assembly 104 and are shaped such that they cooperate toprovide a slit through which the tape 102 passes. In a preferredembodiment, the upper wipe 202 and lower wipe 204 provide a slit thatmirrors the concavo-convex cross-sectional shape of the tape 102. Theupper wipe 202 is in contact with and presses against the top surface108 of the tape 102; and the lower wipe 204 is in contact with andpresses against the bottom surface 109 of the tape 102. The upper wipe202 may form an angle with the top surface 108 of the tape 102 of about20° to about 70°, preferably about 30° to about 65°. Likewise, the anglebetween the lower wipe 204 and the bottom surface 109 of the tape 102may be at a similar range. The upper and low wipes 202, 204 cooperate toclean the top and bottom surfaces 108, 109, respectively, of the tape102 through a wiping action when the tape 102 retracts into the housingassembly. Due to friction created by the upper and lower wipes 202, 204on the tape 102, if the measuring tape 100 uses a spring to providemotive force for retraction, it is preferred that the spring used by thepresent invention produces a retraction force greater than springsnormally used for ordinary tape measures. Preferably, the springprovides a force that is about 0.5 to about 2.0 lb. to overcome thefriction from the upper and lower wipes 202, 204, more preferably about1.0 to about 1.5 lb. The spring force should be sufficient to overcomefriction between the upper and lower wipes 202, 204 and the tape 102when the tape 102 is covered with debris after use.

The upper and lower wipes 202, 204 are preferably made of a flexible,resilient material. Polymeric materials are preferred, includingpolyurethane, rubber, silicone, etc., with polyurethane being mostpreferred material. For example, a polyurethane having at least one, atleast three, at least five, at least six, at least eight, or at leastten of the following physical characteristics, is appropriate for theupper and lower wipes 202, 204:

Property Unit Value* Standard Durometer hardness SHORE A 95 DIN 53505Durometer hardness SHORE D 48 DIN 53505 Density g/cm³ 1.24 DIN 53479Tensile strength N/mm² 50 DIN 53504 Elongation at break % 380 DIN 53504100% modulus N/mm² 17 DIN 53504 Compression set: % 25 — 70° C./24 h, 20%compression Compression set: % 30 — 100° C./24 h, 20% compressionCompression set: % — DIN 53517 70° C./70 h, 10% compression Tearstrength N/mm 120 DIN 53515 Rebound resilience % DIN 53512 Abrasion mm³17 DIN 53516 Minimum service temperature ° C. −20 — Maximum servicetemperature ° C. 110 — *The numerical data are valid for test pieces ofthe corresponding ISO, DIN and ASTM standards and can vary by 20%,preferably 10%, and more preferably 5%.

The polymeric material may be self-lubricating. Methods for makingself-lubricating polymers are known in the art and are described, e.g.,in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,159 and 3,382,202, which are incorporated hereinby reference. Generally, the polymer is made self-lubricating by addinga fatty acid amide, such as erucamide and/or crodamide, to the polymer.When in the polymer, the fatty acid amide blooms to the surface of thepolymer to provide a lubricating layer on the surface.

The upper and lower wipes 202, 204 may be attached to the housingassembly 104 as known in the art. For example, they may be molded as aunitary piece with the tape port 130. Alternatively, the upper and lowerwipes 202, 204 may be attached to the tape port 130, e.g. by anadhesive. In yet another alternative, the upper and lower wipes may beheld in place by clamping them between the two halves of the housingassembly 104. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the tape port 130has a generally a concavo-convex cross shape that matches andaccommodates the tape 102. The tape port 130, however, is generallylarger than the cross section of the tape 102. The upper wipe 202 andthe lower wipe 204 may be provided as two separate pieces, as shown inFIG. 5. Each of the wipes 202, 204 contains an attachment portion 502,504: the upper wipe 202 contains an upper attachment portion 502; andthe lower wipe 204 contains a lower attachment portion 504. Theseattachment portions 502, 504 are attached, e.g. by an adhesive, to theportions of the peripheral wall 126 immediately adjacent to the tapeport 130. The adhesive used may be, e.g., a hot melt adhesive or acyanoacrylate.

Because the upper and lower wipes 202, 204 protrudes away from thehousing assembly 104 and are made of a flexible material, it isgenerally undesirable to have the hook assembly 110, when the tape isfully retracted, come into contact with the upper and lower wipes 202,204. Repeated slamming and pushing of the hook assembly 110 against thewipes 202, 204 during retraction of tape 102 is likely to prematurelydamage the wipes 202, 204. As such, it is desirable to provide apreventive mechanism to prevent the hook assembly 110 from slammingagainst the wipes 202, 204, when the tape 102 retracts. In certainembodiments of the preventive mechanism, the attachment portion 116 ofthe hook assembly 110 contains an elevated portion 206 extending towardthe housing assembly 104 and rising away from the top surface 108 of thetape 102, as best shown in FIG. 4. When the tape 102 retracts, theelevated portion 206 makes contact with the peripheral wall 126 abovethe upper wipe 202 (as best shown in FIG. 4) to stop the tape 102 fromfurther retracting into the housing assembly 104. That way, the hookassembly 110 does not slam onto or press against the upper and lowerwipes 202, 204 when the tape 102 is in its fully retracted position.Although FIG. 4 shows the elevated portion 206 being part of theattachment portion 116, the elevated portion 206 may also be formed andattached separately to the tape 102. The elevated portion 206 may takeon different configurations, as long as its functions to prevent thehook assembly 110 from slamming into or pressing against the upper andlower wipes 202, 204 when the tape 102 is fully retracted. For example,although FIG. 4 shows the elevated portion 206 being raised at an angle(preferably about 10° to about 45°, more preferably about 15° to about30°) from the surface 108 of the tape 102, the elevated portion 206 maytake on an S-shape or L-shape rather than a straight segment.

In an embodiment, as best illustrated in FIG. 7, the peripheral wall 126contains a set back wall 700 where the tape port 130 and wipe mechanism200 are located (set-back embodiment). The set back wall 700 allows thewipe mechanism 200 to be located further toward the rear 702 of thehousing assembly 104 under a ledge 704 to further protect the tape 102and the wipe mechanism 200, when the tape is fully retracted. The setback wall 700 and the ledge 704 meet at approximately a right angle.

In this set-back embodiment, an alternative preventive mechanism may beprovided as shown in FIG. 13. In the alternative preventive mechanism,the hook assembly 110 includes an extension 706. The extension 706extends from the intersection of the hook body 114 and the attachmentportion 116, in a direction directly away from the hook body 114 towardthe peripheral wall 126, and is configured to contact the peripheralwall 126, when the tape is retracted. Preferably, the extension 706, thehook body 114, and the attachment portion 116 form approximately a T,such that the extension 706 is approximately coplanar with the hook body114. When the tape 102 retracts, the extension 706 contacts theperipheral wall 126 to stop the tape 102 from further retracting towardthe set back wall 700. That way, the hook assembly 110 does not slainonto or press against the upper and lower wipes 202, 204 when the tape102 is in its fully retracted position. Although FIG. 13 shows theextension 706 as a straight linear bar, the extension 706 may take ondifferent configurations, as long as it functions to contact theperipheral wall 126 to prevent the hook assembly 110 from slamming intoor pressing against the upper and lower wipes 202, 204 when the tape 102is fully retracted.

Also referring to FIG. 13, the set-back embodiment preferably containsside cages 708, 710 on either side of the tape 102. The side cages 708,710 are mirror images of each other, so only the left side cage 708 isdiscussed herein with the understanding that the right side cage 710contains identical parts and configuration. The side cage 708 is a rod,preferably made of metal, that is bent at approximately a right angle.Preferably, the rod is constructed of a metal, such as steel. In certainembodiments, the rod may be overmolded with a rubber material to protectthe metal. One free end of the rod is attached to the set back wall 700,while the other free end of the rod is attached to the ledge 704. Thecages 708, 710 extend forwardly in parallel from the back wall 700, and,just behind the hook body 114, bend approximately 90° toward the ledge704. The cages 708, 710 flank the sides of the tape 102 to limitside-to-side movement of the tape 102 as it retracts. The cages 708, 710also protect the hook body 114 from bending when the measuring tape 100is dropped.

FIG. 14 shows a preferred construction of the cages 708, 710. In thatpreferred construction, the cages 708, 710, preferably of metallicmaterial, are overmolded with polymeric end connectors 712, 714. The endconnectors 712, 714 connects the cages 708, 710 together at theirrespective ends and allows the cages 708, 710 to be assembled to thehousing 104. The front end connector 712 is configured to slide into achannel 716 in the ledge 704; and the back end connector 714 isconfigured to slid into a channel 718 in the set back wall 700 (see thearrows in FIG. 14). The back end connector 714 also includes the upperand lower wipes 202, 204 molded as an integral part thereof. When thetwo halves (only one side of the halves is partially depicted in FIG.14) of the housing 104 are assembled together, the end connectors 712,714, and thus the cages 708, 710, are retained between the two halves ofthe housing 104. The end connectors 712, 714 are preferably formed fromthe same material as the wipes 202, 204. In use, the tape 102 may beextended from the housing assembly 104 to be used for lengthmeasurement. As noted above, the environment in which the tape is usedmay contain particulate matters, such as sawdust, dirt, and powders frommetal or masonry products, and water, which may adhere on and/oraccumulate on the tape 102 when it is outside of the housing assembly104. When the tape 102 retracts back into housing assembly 104, however,the upper and lower wipes 202, 204, by being in contract with andpressing on tape 102, remove the particulate materials and water thatare on the tape. Essentially, the tape 102 is scraped clean by the upperand lower wipes 202, 205 before entering and does not carry debris intothe housing assembly 104. The retraction stops when the elevated portion206 hits the peripheral wall 126 of the housing assembly 104, therebypreventing the hook assembly 110 from hitting the upper and lower wipes.

It should be understood that, although the above measuring tape 100 andmethods for making thereof are described for a newly manufacturedmeasuring tape, they could be used to add a wipe mechanism to anexisting tape measure. Referring to FIG. 6, a retrofitting kit 600 maybe provided, which contains a base plate 602 having an opening 604therethrough. The opening 604 may be arc shaped to approximate theconcavo-convex cross-sectional shape of the tape 102 and to allow thetape 102 to pass therethrough. The opening 602 is covered with an upperwipe 604 and a lower wipe 606, which substantially correspond to theupper and lower wipes 202 and 204, and have the same shape and functionand uses the same or similar material. The retrofitting kit 600 may beattached over the tape port 130 of an existing tape measure to provide amechanism for removing debris from the tape 102 as it retracts into thehousing assembly 104.

FIG. 8-10 show an alternate retrofitting kit 800 comprising arectangular block 801 having an opening 802 extending through the block801 from a rear face 804 to a front face 806. The block is preferably asolid unitary block made of a flexible polymeric material, such aspolyurethane, rubber, silicone, etc., with polyurethane being mostpreferred material. Because the block 801 is made with the samematerials as the wipes 806, 808, the block 801 is preferably molded as aunitary piece with the wipes 806, 808. On the front face 806, theopening 802 is covered with an upper wipe 808 and a lower wipe 810,which substantially correspond to the upper and lower wipes 202 and 204and have the same shape and function and uses the same or similarmaterial. The upper and lower wipes 808, 810 are located on the frontface 806 and above and below the opening 802, respectively. Preferably,the wipes 808, 810 are blades protruding away from the front face 806.The opening 802 is sized to allow the tape 102 to pass therethrough(see, e.g., FIG. 12). The retrofitting kit 800 may be attached over thetape port 130 of an existing tape measure to provide a wipe mechanismfor removing debris from the tape 102 as it retracts into the housingassembly 104. The attachment of the retrofitting kit 800 to a tape port130 may be by an adhesive or mechanical means. Preferably, theretrofitting kit 800 is removably attached to the tape port 130 by oneor more elastic bands 812 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) wrapping around thehousing assembly 104 to secure the retrofitting kit 800 thereto.

Preferably, to facilitate insertion and removal of the tape 102 throughthe opening 802, the block contains a split 814 on one side of the blockdividing the block 801 into a top portion 818 and a bottom portion 816.The split 814 starts on one side of the opening 802 (left side of theopening 802 as shown in the drawings) and extends horizontally to theleft surface of the block (as best shown in FIGS. 10, 11). As shown inthe drawings, only one side of the block 801 contains a split 814.Although the drawings show the split 814 on the left side of the block801, it may also be located on the right side of the block 801 as wellto serve the same function. The split 814 allows the user to pull thetop portion 818 and the bottom portion 816 apart to facilitate insertionof the tape 102 through the opening 802. Because the block 801 is madeof a flexible polymeric material, the top portion 818 and the bottomportion 816 can be pulled apart while the portion of the block on theopposing side (right side of the opening 803 as shown in the drawings)acts as a hinge (see FIG. 11). Separation of the top and bottom portions818 and 816 allows additional space for the tape 102, particularly thehook assembly 110, to be pulled through the opening 802 when the block801 is being attached to a tape measure. Once the tape 102 is placedthrough the opening 802, the top and bottom portions 818 and 816 can bereattached. Preferably, the top and bottom portions 818 and 816 are heldtogether by a pin 820. Preferably, the pin 820 is a U-shaped pin,preferably made of metal, with one free leg inserted into an opening inthe top portion 818 and the other free leg inserted into an opening inthe bottom portion 818. The free legs of the pin 820 are preferablyfrictionally retained inside the openings in the top and bottom portions818 and 816, respectively. When one or more elastic bands 812 are usedto attach the retrofitting kit 800 to the housing assembly 104, the pin820 is further retained to the block 801 by the elastic bands 812 (seeFIG. 9).

FIG. 12 shows the use of the retrofitting kit 800 with an exemplarymanual winding measuring tape. The block 801 is retained on the housingassembly 104 with elastic bands 812. The tape 102 is pulled through theopening 802 of the block 801 to allow the tape 102 to be scraped cleanby the upper and lower wipes 808, 810 while the tape 102 is beingretracted. Although FIG. 12 shows the use of the retrofitting kit 800 ona manual winding measuring tape, the retrofitting kit 800 may similarlybe used on a standard measuring tape containing a spring loadedretracting mechanism.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art to which the invention pertains that variations andmodifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to theextent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retrofitting kit for a tape measure,comprising: a rectangular block having a. a front face and a rear faceopposing the front face; b. an opening extending through the block fromthe front face to the rear face; c. an upper wipe attached to the frontface proximate the opening; and d. a lower wipe attached to the frontface opposite to the upper wipe, wherein the upper and lower wipes areconfigured to engage the tape of a measuring tape as it retracts intothe tape measure.
 2. The retrofitting kit of claim 1, further comprisingat least one elastic band attached to said block and configured toattach the retrofit kit to a measuring tape.
 3. The retrofitting kit ofclaim 1, wherein the rectangular block is made of a flexible polymericmaterial.
 4. The retrofitting kit of claim 1, wherein the upper andlower wipes are blades protruding away from the front face.
 5. Theretrofitting kit of claim 1, wherein the block comprises a split on oneside of the opening, the split dividing the one side of the opening intoa top portion and a bottom portion.
 6. The retrofitting kit of claim 5,wherein the split extends from the opening to a side of the block. 7.The retrofitting kit of claim 5, further comprising a pin adapted forholding the top and bottom portions together.
 8. The retrofitting kit ofclaim 7, wherein the pin is U-shaped comprising a first free leg adaptedto be inserted into the top portion and a second free leg adapted to beinserted into the bottom portion.
 9. The retrofitting kit of claim 8,wherein the first free leg is adapted to be inserted into a hole in thetop portion and be frictionally retained therein, and the second freeleg is adapted to be inserted into a hole in the bottom portion and tobe frictionally retained therein.
 10. A measuring tape assembly,comprising: a. a housing assembly having a port in a wall thereof; b. atape partially coiled and disposed in the housing assembly, the tapeadapted for retraction and extension through the port to and from aninternal cavity of the housing assembly; and c. the retrofitting kit ofclaim 1 attached over the tape port.
 11. The measuring tape assembly ofclaim 10, wherein at least one elastic band is secured to the housingassembly and adapted for attaching the retrofitting kit to the housingassembly.
 12. A measuring tape assembly, comprising: a. a housingassembly including a first side wall, a second side wall and aperipheral wall connecting the first and second side walls, and a ledge,the peripheral wall having a set back wall under the ledge, the housingassembly further including a tape port; b. a tape partially coiled anddisposed in the housing assembly and having a free end for retractionand extension of the tape to and from an internal cavity of the housingassembly, the free end of the tape comprises a hook assembly includingan attachment portion, a hook body extending from the attachmentportion, and an extension extending from the attachment portion and awayfrom the hook body, the extension configured to contact the peripheralwall when the tape is retracted; and c. a wipe assembly attached to thehousing assembly at the tape port for cleaning the tape, the wipeassembly comprising i. an upper wipe protruding from the housingassembly and pressing on a first surface of the tape, and ii. a lowerwipe protruding from the housing assembly and pressing on a secondsurface the tape.
 13. The measuring tape assembly of claim 12, furthercomprising a first cage and a second cage secured to the housingassembly and flanking the tape.
 14. The measuring tape assembly of claim13, wherein each of the first and second cage comprises a first endattached to the set back wall and a second end attached to the ledge.15. The measuring tape assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the firstand second cages comprises a rod that is bent at a right angle.
 16. Themeasuring tape assembly of claim 12, wherein the set back wall and theledge intersect at a right angle.
 17. The measuring tape assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the upper and lower wipes are made of a flexible,resilient material.
 18. The measuring tape assembly of claim 17, whereinthe flexible, resilient material is self-lubricated polyurethane. 19.The measuring tape assembly of claim 12, wherein the upper wipe forms anangle with the first surface of the tape of 0° to about 45°, and thelower wipe forms an angle with the second surface of the tape of 0° toabout 45°.
 20. The measuring tape assembly of claim 12, wherein the tapehas a concavo-convex cross-sectional shape, and the upper wipe and thelower wipe define a slit that mirrors the cross-sectional shape of thetape.